1908
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LISMORE
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PARISH OF MARY IMMACULATE MOTHER OF GOD BELLINGEN |
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FOUNDED 1908 |
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DIOCESE LISMORE |
| PARISH CHURCH | STATION CHURCHES | HISTORIC CHURCHES |
| OTHER BUILDINGS | RELIGIOUS ORDERS | PARISH DIRECTORY |
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| PARISH CHURCH OF MARY IMMACULATE MOTHER OF GOD | ||
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| PARISH | HISTORY | CHURCH |
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 | PARISH |
| BELLINGEN IS THE SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE LUSH BELLINGER VALLEY. ORIGINALLY NAMED BOAT HARBOUR IT BEGAN AS A TRANSIT POINT FOR THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. ALTHOUGH TIMBER CUTTING DECLINED IN THE LATER 1800's BELLINGEN ASTRIDE THE BELLINGER RIVER CONTINUED TO GROW AS DAIRYING SPREAD INTO THE VALLEY. BYPASSED BY THE MAJOR ROAD AND RAIL LINKS IT NONETHELESS REMAINED A PROSPEROUS TOWNSHIP. IN THE LATER PART OF THE 20th CENTURY IT BECAME A POPULAR WITH PEOPLE FLEEING THE CITY AND SEEKING AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE AND TODAY FORMS A PLEASANT RETREAT AWAY FROM THE BUSTLE OF THE COAST. BELLINGEN WAS THE CENTRE FOR THE PARISH OF BOAT HARBOUR FORMED IN 1881 COVERING THE NAMBUCCA AND BELLINGER VALLEYS. FOLLOWING THE DEPARTURE OF FR READE THE FIRST PARISH PRIEST THE PARISH CENTRE WAS MOVED TO BOWRAVILLE. SOME TIME AROUND 1905 BELLINGEN WAS SEPARATED FROM BOWRAVILLE ALTHOUGH IT CONTINUED TO SHARE THE SAME PASTOR. IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1908 THAT BELLINGEN WAS FORMALLY CONSTITUTED A PARISH WITH ITS OWN PARISH PRIEST. THE PARISH COVERED THE AREA FROM COFFS HARBOUR AND SAWTELL TO DORRIGO. IN 1906 COFFS HARBOUR BECAME A SEPARATE PARISH FOLLOWED BY DORRIGO IN 1915. BELLINGEN THEN HAD RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENTIRE BELLINGER VALLEY WITH STATIONS AT URUNGA, RALEIGH AND VALERY. IN THE 1980'S DORRIGO RETURNED TO THE PARISH. CHURCH OF ST WILLIAM |
| CHURCH OF ST WILLIAM |  |
| THE FIRST CHURCH IN BELLINGEN WAS BUILT BY FR WILLIAM READE IN HYDE STREET AND WAS NO DOUBT NAMED AFTER HIM. IT WAS A SIMPLE WEATHERBOARD BUILDING SEEN TO THE RIGHT MARKED BY THE RED ARROWS. FR READE'S ORIGINAL PRESBYTERY IS LOCATED NEXT TO IT. THE CHURCH SERVED THE TOWN UNTIL 1911 BY WHICH TIME BELLINGEN HAD GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY REQUIRING A LARGER CHURCH AND A NEW SITE. WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH THE OLD ONE WAS SOLD AND DEMOLISHED. THE SITE IS NOW PART OF THE HISTORIC HAMMOND AND WHEATLEY'S EMPORIUM BUILDING. CHURCH OF ST MARY |
 | CHURCH OF ST MARY |
| BY 1911 IT WAS CLEAR NEITHER THE OLD SITE NOR THE OLD CHURCH WERE SUFFICIENT FOR THE NEEDS OF THE PARISH. A NEW SITE WAS OBTAINED WHICH OVERLOOKED THE PARK AND HERE A LARGE WOODEN CHURCH / SCHOOL WAS BUILT AND DEDICATED TO ST MARY (LEFT). DUE TO THE TOWN'S CONTINUED GROWTH THIS BUILDING SERVED AS THE CHURCH FOR JUST ON 8 YEARS AFTER WHICH IT SERVED AS THE PARISH SCHOOL UNTIL 1953. ORIGINALLLY THE BUILDING FRONTED DIRECTLY ONTO PARK STREET IN LINE WITH THE ALIGNMENT OF THE PRESENT CHURCH BUT WAS RELOCATED FURTHER BACK WHEN THE PRESENT SCHOOL WAS BUILT. OF PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE PHOTO AT LEFT ARE THE MOCK BUTTRESSES INTENDED TO GIVE THE WOODEN CHURCH THE ACCEPTED GOTHIC APPEARANCE. NEXT |
| THE LARGE WEATHERBOARD CHURCH (HERE SEEN LEFT UNDER CONSTRUCTION) WAS BEAUTIFULLY SITED OVERLOOKING THE TOWN PARK AND WAS OPENED IN JANUARY 1911 BY BISHOP CARROLL. THE EAST END SEEN HERE HAD A TWIN-LIGHT EAST WINDOW AND WAS SURMOUNTED BY A PRETTY BELL-COTE. AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW CHURCH IN 1919, THE OLD WAS GIVEN OVER ENTIRELY TO SCHOOL USE UNTIL THE BUILDING OF THE NEW SCHOOL IN 1953. VARIOUS CHANGES WERE MADE OVER TIME TO GIVE IT ITS PRESENT DAY APPEARANCE (BELOW). THE BUILDING IS STILL IN USE AS ST MARY'S HALL. NEXT |  |
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 | THE NEW CHURCH / SCHOOL WAS A LARGE BUILDING FOR ITS DAY. IT WAS IN FORM A PLAIN HALL APPROPRIATE FOR ITS DUAL FUNCTION BUT WAS NONETHELESS MARKED BY SEVERAL ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF INTEREST. THE PORCHLESS WEST FRONT CONTAINED TWO LANCET WINDOWS TO EITHER SIDE OF THE DOOR AND AN EYE WINDOW ABOVE. IN CONTRAST THE EAST END CONTAINED A TWO-LIGHT LANCET CENTRALLY PLACED BEHIND THE ALTAR. THE PRETTY LITTLE BELL-COTE OVER THE EAST GABLE WAS AN UNUSUAL ADDITION AT A TIME WHEN FREE-STANDING BELL TOWERS THE NORM. AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW CHURCH IN 1919 THE BUILDING WAS USED AS ST MARY'S SCHOOL UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW SCHOOL IN 1953. AT THAT TIME A THREE-SIDED VERANDAH WAS ADDED. WHEN THE NEW SCHOOL WAS COMPLETED THE OLD CHURCH BECAME THE PARISH HALL (RIGHT). AFTER NEARLY 100 YEARS OF SERVICE THE HALL IS STILL IN USE TODAY. CHURCH OF MARY IMMACULATE VIRGIN MOTHER |
 | CHURCH OF MARY IMMACULATE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD |
| JUST EIGHT YEARS AFTER THE FIRST ST MARY'S CHURCH WAS OPENED THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW PARISH CHURCH FOR BELLINGEN WAS LAID IN 1919. IN THIS THEIR ARE INTERESTING PARALLELS WITH BOWRAVILLE PARISH. IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CHURCHES DESIGNED FOR THE DIOCESE BY THE YOUNG ARCHITECT AUSTIN McKAY. THE CHURCH IS BUILT IN GOTHIC STYLE WITH MOST OF THE FEATURES TYPICAL OF CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF ITS DAY. IT CONSISTS OF A WIDE NAVE, AN APSIDAL CHANCEL, BAPTISTRY, CONFESSIONAL AND SACRISTY. AMONG THE FEATURES OF INTEREST ARE THE MATCHING APSIDAL EXTENSION TO BALANCE THE BAPTISTRY, AN IMPRESSIVE ROSE-WINDOW AND A LARGE BLOCKY FRONT PORCH. ALSO NOTEWORTHY ARE THE TREFOIL WINDOWS LOCATED ON EACH SIDE OF THE WEST ROSE-WINDOW. THE NEW CHURCH WAS DEDICATED TO MARY IMMACULATE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD. NEXT |
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| THE FOUNDATION STONE LAID BY BISHOP CARROLL IN 1919. NEXT | THE PLAQUE COMMEMORATING THE FOUNDATION OF THE PARISH. NEXT |
 | THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH WAS RE-ORGANISED FOLLOWING VATICAN II TO ALLOW FOR THE PRIEST TO FACE THE PEOPLE BUT THE CHANCEL HAS BEEN RECENTLY RESTORED IN ESSENCE AND IS NOW AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF A SYMPATHETIC CHURCH RE-ORDERING. THE NAVE IS WIDE AND TRADITIONALLY ORIENTED TOWARDS THE FAR MORE ELABORATE CHANCEL. THE STATUES OF OUR LADY AND THE SACRED HEART HAVE BEEN RESTORED TO THEIR POSITIONS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CHANCEL ARCH AND THE PRESENT BAPTISTRY IS ALSO LOCATED JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY. THE ROOF IS TYPICALLY HAMMERBEAM. THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH ARE THE THREE MAGNIFICENT EAST WINDOWS REPRESENTING OUR LORD'S BAPTISM, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION WHICH WERE INSTALLED BY BISHOP FARRELLY WHEN HE WAS THE PARISH PRIEST. NEXT |
| THE CHANCEL, TYPICALLY OF A CATHOLIC AS OPPOSED TO AN ANGLICAN CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA, IS A FIVE-SIDED APSE IN SHAPE WITH EACH OF THE THREE CENTRAL PLANES PIERCED BY A LARGE STAINED GLASS WINDOW EACH REPRESENTING ONE OF THE KEY EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF OUR LORD. FROM THE LEFT THESE ARE THE BAPTISM, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION. THE CHANCEL WALL UP TO THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDOWS IS DECORATED WITH LOVELY ROSEWOOD TRACERY AND GOLD WALLPAPERING. TO THE RIGHT OF THE SANCTUARY IS THE FORMER NUN'S CHANCEL WITH ITS ALTAR RAIL STILL LARGELY INTACT AND TO THE LEFT IS THE SACRISTY. THE NUN'S CHANCEL IS SADLY TODAY USED AS LITTLE MORE THAN A STORAGE ROOM AND ACCESS POINT FOR PRIEST AND SACRISTAN. THE BEAUTIFUL ROSEWOOD RETROALTAR WAS ORIGINALLY MOVED OUT OF THE SANCTUARY BUT WAS RECENTLY RESTORED. THE ORIGINAL ALTAR ITSELF WAS SIMPLY MOVED FORWARD TO ALLOW THE PRIEST TO SAY MASS FACING THE PEOPLE. NEXT |  |
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 | <<<< THE SUPERB POLISHED ROSEWOOD RETROALTAR IS TODAY ONCE AGAIN THE THRONE OF THE TABERNACLE WHICH FOR A BRIEF PERIOD WAS LOCATED WHERE THE SACRED HEART STATUE NOW STANDS. THE RETROALTAR WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS OF THE SANCTUARY MAKING USE OF THE RESOURCE FOR WHICH THE NORTH COAST WAS INITIALLY FAMOUS - ITS STANDS OF RED CEDAR AND ROSEWOOD. THE RETROALTAR BLENDS IN PERFECTLY WITH THE ROSEWOOD TRACERY. THE MATCHING ALTAR MENSA WAS MOVED FORWARD DURING THE CHANGES IN THE 70's. IT IS A LOVELY PIECE OF CARVED AND GILDED LOCAL WORKMANSHIP THAT IS ONE OF THE REAL TREASURES OF THE CHURCH. AN UNUSUAL CARVED WHITE 'LAST SUPPER' DECORATES THE CENTRAL PANEL OF THE ALTAR.vvvv NEXT |
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| THE STATUE OF OUR LADY TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY APTLY WATCHES OVER THE LOVELY BAPTISMAL FONT. | THE BUILT-IN ROSEWOOD AMBO IS A MODERN ADDITION DONE IN SYMPATHY WITH THE OTHER SANCTUARY FURNISHINGS. | THE NUN'S CHANCEL WAS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CHANCEL. ITS ORIGINAL ALTAR RAIL CAN STILL BE SEEN. |
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 | <<<< A RECENT ADDITION TO THE CHURCH IS THE CARVED AND POLISHED MARBLED STONE BAPTISMAL FONT WITH ITS STAINLESS STEEL COVER. THE STYLE OF THE FONT IS CLASSICAL RENAISSANCE ENABLING IT TO HARMONISE WITH ITS SURROUNDS. IT IS ALL THE MORE SURPRISING THEN TO LIFT THE TOP AND SEE THE MODERN PAINTED SETTING OF THE TWO WATER BOWLS. THIS PART OF THE FONT WAS DONE BY A VICTORIAN ARTIST AND REPRESENTS LIFE IN THE WATER AND DOLPHIN AND SPIRIT IN THE RAYED STAR. THE PAINTING OF THE FONT WAS ARRANGED BY MICHAEL BERRY OF THE SWEETWATER GALLERY WHO WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTORING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS. vvvv NEXT |
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| >>>> LOOKING DOWN THE NAVE TO THE WEST END WITH ITS CHOIR GALLERY AND PORCH. TO THE RIGHT IS THE ORIGINAL BAPTISTRY AND TO THE LEFT ITS MATCHING CONFESSIONAL. FROM HERE CAN BE SEEN THE WINDOWS GROUPING WITH THE TWO TREFOILS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROSE WINDOW COMPRISING A RING OF QUATREFOILS AND A CENTRAL HEXAFOIL. vvvv NEXT |  |
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| FROM L TO R: ST PATRICK, THE FORMER BAPTISTRY, STATION OF THE CROSS AND HOLY WATER STOUP. TOP STATION CHURCHES | |||
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| STATION CHURCHES | |
| DORRIGO | URUNGA |
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| CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, DORRIGO | |
 | PARISH |
| THE TOWNSHIP OF DORRIGO SITS ATOP A PLATEAU ABOVE THE BELLINGER VALLEY ON THE EDGE OF THE NEW ENGLAND ESCARPMENT. FIRST SETTLED IN THE 1860's AS A TIMBER TOWN, IT LATER BECAME A DAIRYING AREA BASED ON THE LUSH PASTURES SURROUNDING THE TOWN. DORRIGO BEGAN AS A STATION OF BELLINGEN IN THE EARLY 1900's. IN 1915 IT BECAME A PARISH IN ITS OWN RIGHT EXTENDING AS FAR AS EBOR. ALTHOUGH IT HAD MANY STATIONS IT POSSESSED JUST THE ONE CHURCH. DORRIGO REMAINED A PARISH FOR 70 ODD YEARS UNTIL THE DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF PRIESTS LED TO ITS BEING RE-AMALGAMATED WITH THE PARISH OF BELLINGEN IN THE 1980's. FIRST CHURCH | |
| FIRST CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART |  |
| THE FIRST CHURCH TO BE BUILT IN DORRIGO (RIGHT) WAS AN ATTRACTIVE WEATHERBOARD BUILDING ERECTED IN 1910. IT SERVED AS THE STATION CHURCH FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEN BECAME THE PARISH CHURCH UNTIL 1960. THE CHURCH COMPRISED A NAVE, CHANCEL, PORCH, SACRISTY AND NUN'S CHANCEL AND TYPICAL OF THE TIME WAS DECORATED WITH SOME ATTRACTIVE BARGE BOARDS. WINDOWS AND DOORS WERE GIVEN AN ECCLESIASTICAL APPEARANCE BY THE USE OF POINTED ARCHES. THE CHURCH DOUBLED AS A SCHOOL FROM 1924 TO 1950 WHEN THE PRESENT SCHOOL WAS BUILT. THE BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW CHURCH. SECOND CHURCH |
 | SECOND CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART |
| THE PRESENT CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART WAS BUILT IN 1960 TO ACCOMODATE THE GROWTH OF THE PARISH AND TO PROVIDE A MEMORIAL TO THE SOLDIERS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE WORLD WARS AND THE KOREAN WAR. IT WAS A TIME WHEN SUCH MEMORIALS SPROUTED AROUND THE COUNTRY AIDED BY LARGESSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE CHURCH IS A SIMPLE A-FRAME STRUCTURE WITH AN ATTACHED SACRISTY. IT IS ATTRACTIVELY LOCATED ON A SLIGHT RISE AND IS SURROUNDED BY WELL-KEPT GARDENS. A LOVELY LOURDES GROTTO STANDS OUTSIDE THE FRONT ENTRANCE. UNLIKE MANY 1960's BUILDINGS IT HAS WEATHERED WELL AND PERSENTS AN IMPRESSIVE SIGHT AS ONE ENTERS THE TOWN. A LARGE METAL CROSS SUPERIMPOSED ON THE GLASS-WALLED FRONT PROCLAIMS THE CHURCH'S CHRISTIAN MISSION. NEXT |
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| ^^^^ THE LOVELY LOURDES GROTTO OUTSIDE THE FRONT ENTRACNE OF THE CHURCH. THE SIMPLE PRACTICAL LINES OF THE CHURCH'S SEEN ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON. >>>> NEXT |
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| <<<< THE NAVE LOOKING EAST SHOWING THE PLAINLY FURNISHED SANCTUARY AND ^^^^ THE MODERN ALTAR. NEXT |
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| THE EAST WALL IS ADORNED BY A CRUCIFIX AND A TAPESTRY OF THE LAST SUPPER. TO THE LEFT IS A TRADITIONAL STATUE OF THE SACRED HEART AND TO THE RIGHT, UNUSUALLY, A STATUE OF ST JOSEPH, A RESULT OF THE 1970's RE-ORDERING OF THE CHURCH. THE SANCTUARY ITSELF IS MARKED BY A NARROWING OF THE NAVE AND A RAISED FLOOR LEVEL. TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY IS LOCATED THE FORMER NUN'S CHANCEL, NOW A MEETING ROOM AND TO THE RIGHT THE PULPIT STYLE AMBO AND FONT. OUTSIDE THE SANCTUARY TO THE LEFT IS THE BLESSED SACRAMENT ALTAR (FORMERLY THE SACRED HEART ALTAR) AND TO THE RIGHT THE LADY ALTAR. NEXT | ||
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| TOP STATION CHURCHES URUNGA | |
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| CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS, URUNGA | |
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| STATION | |
| THE ATTRACTIVE BEACHSIDE TOWNSHIP OF URUNGA LIES JUST OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE MOUTH OF THE BELLINGER AND KALANG RIVERS. ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS BELLINGER HEADS, URUNGA LATER BECAME AN IMPORTANT RAILWAY STOP FOR THE BELLINGER VALLEY. TODAY IT IS A BUSY HIGHWAY STOP POPULATED MAINLY WITH RETIREES ENJOYING THE LIFESTYLE FOR WHICH THE COAST IS FAMOUS. URUNGA BEGAN AS A STATION OF BELLINGEN IN THE EARLY 1900's. THE FIRST CHURCH WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1910 AND URUNGA LATER BECAME OF SUFFICIENT IMPORTANCE TO WARRANT ITS OWN CONVENT SCHOOL RUN BY THE PRESENTATION SISTERS OF LISMORE. EVEN TODAY, ALTHOUGH IT NEVER REACHED PAROCHIAL STATUS IT MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE PARITY WITH ITS PARISH CENTRE AT BELLINGEN. FIRST CHURCH |
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| FIRST CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS |  |
| THE FIRST URUNGA CHURCH WAS BUILT IN 1910 ON THE SIDE OF A HILL ACROSS THE 'SWAMP' FROM THE PRESENT SITE IN PILOT STREET. IT COMPRISED A NAVE, PORCH AND SACRISTY ALONG WITH TWO SMALL BUILDINGS - A GARAGE AND A BEDROOM USED BY THE PRIEST IN THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS. IN 1951 THE CHURCH WAS MOVED TO ITS PRESENT SITE NEXT TO THE CONVENT (RIGHT). THE NEW SITE WAS ALSO ON THE SIDE OF A HILL REQUIRING THE CHURCH TO BE RAISED ON PILES. IN 1973 A COMBINATION OF POPULATION GROWTH AND LITURGICAL CHANGES REQUIRED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CHURCH WITH THE OLD ONE BEING RETAINED AS THE CHURCH HALL. SECOND CHURCH |
 | SECOND CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS |
| IN 1973 THE NEW CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME WAS BUILT ON MORE LEVEL GROUND AT THE TOP OF THE SITE FACING THE ROAD THAT RAN BEHIND THE OLD CHURCH. THE CHURCH WAS BUILT IN THE STYLE THAT HAD BECOME ICONIC IN THE 1970's, NAMELY A UNIFIED OPEN PLAN SPACE WITHOUT ARCHITECTURAL DISTINCTIONS. FROM THE OUTSIDE IT IS SHAPED AS A PLAIN SQUARE WITH LITTLE TO SHOW ITS FUNCTION BEYOND A WHITE CROSS ON AN EXTENDED SIDE WALL. IT HAS EXTENSIVE GLASS WALLING AROUND TWO SIDES, A BLANK REAR WALL AND A SLOPING ROOF RISING TO ITS HEIGHT OVER THE SANCTUARY. NEXT |
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 | THE INTERIOR IS DESIGNED WITH THE NEW LITURGICAL IDEAS FLOWING FROM VATICAN II IN MIND. THE SANCTUARY IS OPEN TO THE CONGREGATION AND IS MARKED ONLY BY A RAISED PLATFORM. THE SIMPLE FURNISHINGS ARE OF DARK WOOD AND INJECT A MORE DECORATIVE ELEMENT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH. THE ALTAR WITH ITS RELIEF OF THE LAST SUPPER SET INTO THE BASE RECALLS THAT AT BELLINGEN. A LARGE CRUCIFIX DOMINATES THE SANCTUARY AREA WHILE BENEATH STANDS THE CELEBRANT'S CHAIR. ON THIS OCCASION (LEFT) THE CHURCH HAS BEEN SET UP FOR THE ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. THE TRADITIONAL MONSTRANCE IS THEREFORE PLACED ON THE MAIN ALTAR. NEXT |
| THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH DESIGN IS TO FOCUS THE ATTENTION ON THE MAIN ALTAR AND THE IMPOSING CRUCIFIX ABOVE IT AS CALLED FOR IN THE REVISED LITURGY. THE OPEN PLAN STYLING OF THE CHURCH CAN BE CLEARLY SEEN HERE (RIGHT) WITH THE SANCTUARY ACCESSIBLE TO THE WHOLE CONGREGATION WHILE TO THE LEFT OF THE ALTAR STANDS THE AMBO AND BEYOND THAT A SMALL TRIANGULAR ALTAR HOLDING THE SQUARE TABERNACLE. DESPITE THE OPEN PLAN STYLE OF THE CHURCH THE SEATING HAS BEEN ARRANGED ACROSS THE NAVE RATHER THAN AROUND THE ALTAR AS IN MOST 70's CHURCHES. IN KEEPING WITH POST-VATICAN II IDEAS MODERN BANNERS DECORATE THE WALLS WHILE IN CONTRAST A TRADITIONAL TOUCH IS ADDED BY A STATUE OF THE SACRED HEART TO THE LEFT OF THE TABERNACLE. OVERALL THE CHURCH SUCCEEDS IN CONVEYING A CATHOLIC ATMOSPHERE WHILE REMAINING IN TUNE WITH CURRENT ARCHITECTURAL TRENDS. TOP STATION CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES |  |
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| HISTORIC CHURCHES | |||
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| PINE CREEK | RALEIGH | VALERY | |
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| CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH, RALEIGH | |
 | STATION |
| THE VILLAGE OF RALEIGH LYING ON THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY IN THE LUSH BELLINGER VALLEY WAS ONCE THE CENTRE OF A FARMING AREA WHOSE MAJOR LANDHOLDER WAS PHILIP McATEER, KNOWN AS THE 'DUKE OF RALEIGH'. TODAY IT IS A QUIET TOURSIT STOP ON THE ROAD NORTH. | |
| CHURCH OF ST BRIGID | |
| McATEER WAS A STAUNCH CATHOLIC AND GAVE LAND TO BUILD A CHURCH. IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT McATEER HIMSELF ERECTED A CHURCH IN RALEIGH AS ONE IS DEFINITELY MENTIONED IN THE CATHOLIC DIRECTORY FOR 1886. THE CHURCH APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CALLED ST BRIGID'S WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THE FACT THAT PHILIP'S WIFE'S NAME WAS BRIDGET. IT IS NOT KNOWN WHETHER THE CHURCH WAS BUILT ON THE SAME SITE AS THE LATER CHURCH BUT THE 1888 GRAVE OF LILIAN McATEER MAY SHOW THAT IT WAS. ALTERNATIVELY IT MAY HAVE BEEN LOCATED NEAR THE LATER NORCO MILK FACTORY. WHATEVER THE CASE IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY ST JOSEPH'S IN 1889. CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH | |
| CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH |  |
| MOST RECORDS SHOW THE CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH (ABOVE) AS BEING BUILT ON A SITE NEAR THE LATER MILK FACTORY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS WAS IN FACT THE ORIGINAL CHURCH OF ST BRIGID AND THAT THE BUILDING WAS THEN MOVED TO A SITE IN WALTERS STREET NEXT TO THE PRESENT SCHOOL OF ARTS IN WHICH CASE THE DATE GENERALLY GIVEN FOR ITS BUILDING, 1889, MAY REFER TO ITS RELOCATION. PHILIP McATEER LOST MOST OF HIS LAND IN THE 1900 DEPRESSION BUT THE CHURCH SEEMS TO HAVE RETAINED BOTH THE LAND AND CHURCH. THE CHURCH ITSELF WAS LATER TURNED TO FACE THE STREET FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION FACING THE RIVER. NOW KNOWN AS ST JOSEPH'S, THIS PLAIN WOODEN BUILDING SERVED THE PEOPLE OF RALEIGH UNTIL 1956 BY WHICH STAGE ITS CONTINUED USE COULD NO LONGER BE JUSTIFIED AND BOTH IT AND THE LAND WERE SOLD. THE BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE TIMBER USED TO BUILD A HOUSE AT BONVILLE. A HOUSE WAS BUILT ON THE SITE LEAVING ONLY THE LONELY GRAVE OF LILIAN McATEER TO HONOUR HER GRANDFATHER'S ABIDING FAITH. TOP HISTORIC CHURCHES VALERY |
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| CHURCH OF ST PATRICK, VALERY (PINE CREEK) | |
 | THE AREA TO THE NORTH OF BELLINGEN IS DOTTED WITH SMALL LOCALITIES SET AMIDST RAINFOREST AND RUGGED HILLS. AMONG THE SETTLERS IN THIS AREA WERE SEVERAL CATHOLICS AND DURING THE 1920's A SMALL CHURCH WAS ERECTED ON THE BELLINGEN - VALERY ROAD NEXT TO THE VALERY SCHOOL TO SERVE THEIR NEEDS. THE CHURCH WAS DEDICATED TO ST PATRICK AND THE LOCALE WAS KNOWN VARIOUSLY AS HYDE'S CREEK, PINE CREEK AND EVENTUALLY VALERY. THE CHURCH WAS A TYPICAL RURAL 'GOD-BOX' WHICH SERVED THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION FOR FORTY YEARS UNTIL IMPROVED TRANSPORT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL INTO BELLINGEN TO MASS. IN THE 1960's THE CHURCH WAS CLOSED AND LATER LATER SOLD AND DEMOLISHED. THE LAND WAS SOLD SEPARATELY IN 1979 FOR A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. TOP HISTORIC CHURCHES OTHER BUILDINGS |
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| OTHER BUILDINGS | ||
| ALTHOUGH THE PARISH OF BELLINGEN IS CENTRED ON THE TOWN OF THAT NAME, HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT HAVE COMBINED TO CREATE TO CREATE THREE QUITE DISTINCT POINTS OF CATHOLIC GROWTH IN THE REGION. EACH THEREFORE HAS GIVEN RISE TO THE APPROPRIATE CATHOLIC BUILDINGS. AS THE PAROCHIAL TOWN BELLINGEN IS OF COURSE THE RESIDENCE OF THE PARISH PRIEST AND OVER THE YERS A SERIES OF FOUR PRESBYTERIES HAVE BEEN BUILT TO ACCOMODATE HIM. DORRIGO AS A FORMER PARISH ALSO POSSESSED TWO PREBSYTERIES DURING THAT TIME. THE FIRST SCHOOL WAS AT BELLINGEN AND WAS STARTED BY THE DAUGHTERS OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART IN 1911. IN THE 1920's THE LISMORE CONGREGATION OF THE PRESENTATION SISTERS COMMENCED SCHOOLS AT URUNGA AND DORRIGO AND LATER TOOK OVER THE SCHOOL AT BELLINGEN. TO ACCOMODATE THE SISTERS CONVENTS EXISTED AT BELLINGEN, URUNGA AND DORRIGO, THE FIRST OF THESE ALSO SERVING FOR THE PRESENTATION SISTERS. ACTIVE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETIES SET UP CENTRES AT URUNGA AND AT DORRIGO. IN 1975 THE CHURCH PROVIDED LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BELLORANA AGED CARE HOSTEL. MOST RECENTLY A NEW VENTURE FINANCED BY A SYDNEY BUSINESSMAN, THE MT TABOR COMMUNITY AND RETREAT HAS OPENED OUTSIDE BELLINGEN. | ||
| BELLINGEN PRESBYTERIES |
DORRIGO PRESBYTERIES |
BELLINGEN MT TABOR COMMUNITY |
| BELLINGEN BELLORANA HOSTEL |
DORRIGO ST VINCENT DE PAUL |
URUNGA ST VINCENT DE PAUL |
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| PRESBYTERIES, BELLINGEN | |
 | THE FIRST PRESBYTERY IN BELLINGEN WAS BUILT BY THE PIONEER PRIEST, FR READE, IN 1881 CLOSE TO THE ORIGINAL CHURCH (ABOVE). WITH THE MOVE TO THE NEW SITE THE PRESBYTERY ALONG WITH THE CHURCH WAS SOLD AND LATER DEMOLISHED. THE FIRST PRESBYTERY ON THE PRESENT SITE WAS BUILT IN 1912 AND SERVED THE PARISH FOR SEVENTY YEARS. IN 1981 IT WAS REPLACED BY A NEW BRICK PRESBYTERY WHICH TODAY FORMS THE PARISH OFFICE PORTION OF THE PRESBYTERY. IN 1997 A NEW ADDITION WAS MADE TO THE PRESBYTERY TO SERVE AS THE PRIEST'S LIVING QUARTERS. IN THE PHOTO AT LEFT THE 1981 PRESBYTERY CAN BE SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND AND THE 1997 ADDITION IN THE FOREGROUND. ALL IN ALL BELLINGEN HAS SEEN FOUR DISTINCT INCARNATIONS OF THE PRIEST'S HOME, THREE OF WHICH HAVE BEEN LOCATED ON THE SAME SITE. FIRST PARK STREET PRESBYTERY |
| FIRST PARK STREET PRESBYTERY | |
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| HISTORY | |
 | THE FIRST PRESBYTERY ON THE PRESENT SITE WAS THAT BUILT IN 1912 AND OPENED BY BISHOP CARROLL. IT WAS A WOODEN BUILDING OF WHICH ONLY ONE GABLE REMAINS NOW INCORPORATED INTO THE CURRENT BUILDING (LEFT) ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL DEDICATION STONE (RIGHT). THE SECOND PRESBYTERY BUILT IN 1981 WAS A PLAIN BRICK BUNGALOW OF A STYLE TYPICAL OF ITS TIME (BELOW LEFT). IT WAS LOW-KEY AS BEFIT THE LESS HEIRARCHIC STYLE OF PARISH LEADERSHIP AFTER VATICAN II. TODAY IT SERVES AS THE PARISH OFFICE. THE 1997 PRESBYTERY FOLLOWED THE STYLE OF ITS CLOSE PREDECESSOR IN ADOPTING A PLAIN DOMESTIC STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE (BELOW RIGHT). THE ADDITION FORMS IN EFFECT A SEPARATE FLAT PROVIDING THE PRIEST PRIVACY. SECOND & THIRD PRESBYTERIES |  |
| SECOND PARK STREET PRESBYTERY | THIRD PARK STREET PRESBYTERY |
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| TOP OTHER BUILDINGS DORRIGO PRESBYTERIES | |
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| PRESBYTERIES, DORRIGO | |
 | WHEN DORRIGO WAS MADE A PARISH IN 1915 A PRESBYTERY WAS ERECTED CLOSE TO THE CHURCH FOR THE NEW PARISH PRIEST. THIS BUILDING, THE FIRST PRESBYTERY, SERVED TO ACCOMODATE THE PARISH PRIESTS OF DORRIGO FOR APPROXIMATELY SIXTYYEARS. IN COMMON WITH MANY PARISHES DURING THE 1970's DORRIGO SET ABOUT UPGRADING ITS FACILITIES AND AS A RESULT A NEW PRESBYTERY (LEFT) WAS BUILT DURING THIS PERIOD. IN KEEPING WITH THE STYLE OF THE TIME, IT IS A LOW-KEY BRICK BUNGALOW BUILDING ESSENTIALL A DOMESTIC RESIDENCE FOR THE PRIEST RATHER THAN THE OLDER STYLE PARISH COMMAND POST COMMON PRIOR TO VATICAN II. PROMINENT GABLE CROSSES ENSURE HOWEVER THAT THE BUILDINGS PURPOSE IS CLEARLY STATED. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS MOUNT TABOR COMMUNITY |
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| MOUNT TABOR EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY AND RETREAT CENTRE | |
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| THE MOUNT TABOR COMMUNITY AND RETREAT CENTRE WAS THE DREAM OF A WEALTHY SYDNEY PHILANTHROPIST, WALTER BACHMAN, WHO PURCHASED THE MOUNT TABOR PROPERTY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BELLINGER RIVER IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE 21st CENTURY. THE COMMUNITY IS A EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY WHO PURCHASE HOMES WITHIN THE COMPLEX. AT THE HEART OF THE FACILITY HOWEVER IS THE CHAPEL AND RETREAT CENTRE WHERE RELIGIOUS GROUPS CAN HOLD CONFERENCES AND HAVE TIME APART TO DEVELOP THEIR SPIRITUALITY. THIS PRIVATE VENTURE IS A NEW STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CATHOLIC SERVICES IN THE DIOCESE. THE COMMUNITY |
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| MOUNT TABOR COMMUNITY |  |
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| A VIEW OF THE LOVELY GARDENS AND PRIVATE HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY. CHAPEL |
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| THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNT TABOR CHAPEL LIES AT THE HEART OF THE COMPLEX. NEXT |
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| THE LOVELY CHAPEL AT MOUNT TABOR IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE INNOVATIONS OF VATICAN II CAN BE COMBINED WITH THE CENTURIES OLD TRADITIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE SIMPLE DESIGN OF THE CHAPEL IS COMPRISES A TRADITIONAL NAVE THAT CULMINATES IN A CROSS-TOPPED EAST TOWER THAT IS THE ARCHITECTURAL DEFINITION OF THE SANCTUARY. THE INTERIOR OF THE CHAPEL FOLLOWS A SIMILAR PATTERN WITH A FORMAL NAVE LEADING UP TO DEFINED SANCTUARY, YET ONE FULLY IN KEEPING WITH THE REVISED LITURGY. THE CENTRALLY PLACED TABERNACLE IS FLANKED BY TWO EXQUISITE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS DOMINATING A PLAIN SANDSTONE TABLE ALTAR AND MATCHING AMBO. THE TRADITIONAL STATUES OF OUR LADY AND THE SACRED HEART STAND TO EITHER SIDE. NEXT |  |
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| BELLORANA HOSTEL, BELLINGEN | |
 | IN 1974 A GROUP OF CATHOLIC MEN GOT TOGETHER WITH A VIEW TO CONSTRUCTING AN AGED CARE HOSTEL IN BELLINGEN. THEY APPROACHED THE PARISH TO OBTAIN SOME OF THE UNUSED LAND AT THE REAR OF THE SCHOOL AS A SITE FOR THE NEW FACILITY. THIS WAS AGREED AND THE HOSTEL WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1975. THE BELLORANA AGED CARE HOSTEL WAS OPENED BY THE THEN PRIME MINISTER, MR GOUGH WHITLAM AND BLESSED BY BISHOP SATTERTHWAITE IN OCTOBER 1975. THOUGH IT IS MENTIONED IN SEVERAL AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC DIRECTORIES AND IS EVEN LISTED ON THE DIOCESAN WEBSITE THE FACILITY WAS ALWAYS RUN AS A PRIVATE VENTURE WITH PARISH INVOLVEMENT BEING LIMITED TO THE PROVISION OF THE LAND. IN THE 1990's EVEN THIS CONNECTION WAS ENDED WHEN THE SITE WAS SOLD TO THE HOSTEL BOARD. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST VINCENT DE PAUL DORRIGO |
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| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, DORRIGO | |
 | THE PARISH OF DORRIGO POSSESSED AND STILL POSSESSES AN ACTIVE CONFERENCE OF THE ST VINCET DE PAUL SOCIETY. THE CONFERENCE CARRIES OUT VISITATIONS AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE CHARITABLE WORKS OF THE CHURCH IN KEEPING WITH THE VISION OF SERVICE OF THE SOCIETY'S FOUNDER, FREDERICK OZANAM. BOTH AS PART OF ITS CHARITABLE WORKS AND TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SAME THE CONFERENCE HAS LONG MAINTAINED A RETAIL CENTRE IN DORRIGO. SITUATED IN THE HISTORIC MAIN STREET OF THE TOWN THE SHOP (LEFT) IS ITSELF A BUILDING OF HISTORIC INTEREST DATING BACK TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20th CENTURY. THE BUILDING, A SIMPLE LITTLE RURAL STORE, HARMONISES WITH ITS SURROUNDINGS AVOIDING THE NEON SIGNS AND MODERN ADVERTISING SO COMMON IN THE MAJOR TOWNS OF THE COAST IN FAVOUR OF A PLAIN PAINTED NAME ON THE TYPICAL STORE GABLE. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST VINCENT DE PAUL URUNGA |
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| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, URUNGA | |
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| IN CONTRAST TO DORRIGO THE URUNGA STORE, RETAIL OUTLET OF THE VALLEY CONFERENCE OF THE ST VINVENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, OPERATES FROM A POST 60's RETAIL COMPLEX IN THE HEART OF THE BUSY BEACHSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE AT URUNGA. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS RELIGIOUS ORDERS PARISH DIRECTORY | |
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| RELIGIOUS ORDERS | ||
| PRESENTATION SISTERS LISMORE CONGREGATION |
DAUGHTERS OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART AUSTRALIAN PROVINCE |
SISTERS OF MERCY GRAFTON CONGREGATION |
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| RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS | ||
| HOLY NAME SCHOOL URUNGA |
MOUNT ST JOHN'S SCHOOL DORRIGO |
ST MARY'S SCHOOL BELLINGEN |
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| PARISH DIRECTORY | |
| PARISH AND STATION CHURCHES ST MARY IMMACULATE MOTHER OF GOD BELLINGEN 14 PARK STREET BELLINGEN 2454 POST: PO BOX 234 BELLINGEN 2454 PHONE: (02) 6655 1448 FAX: (02) 6655 2292 EMAIL: marybell@midcoast.com.au SACRED HEART DORRIGO KARABIN STREET DORRIGO 2453 HOLY NAME OF JESUS URUNGA HIGH STREET URUNGA 2455 | PRIMARY SCHOOLS ST MARY'S PRIMARY SCHOOL PARK STREET BELLINGEN 2454 POST: PO BOX 326 BELLINGEN 2454 PHONE: (02) 6655 1432 FAX: (02) 6655 2578 EMAIL: smpbell@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: smpbell.lism.catholic.edu.au MOUNT ST JOHN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL KARABIN STREET DORRIGO 2453 POST: PO BOX 233 DORRIGO 2453 PHONE: (02) 6657 2552 FAX: (02) 6657 2849 EMAIL: msjpdorr@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: msjpdorr.lism.catholic.edu.au |
| RETREAT CENTRE MOUNT TABOR EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY AND RETREAT CENTRE 77 NORTH BANK ROAD BELLINGEN 2454 PHONE: (02) 6655 2093 FAX: (02) 9938 4465 EMAIL: osaadmin@bigpond.com | OTHER SERVICES ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY 24 HICKORY STREET DORRIGO 2453 PHONE: (02) 6657 2535 FAX: (02) 6657 2535 SHOP 10, BEACH PLAZA URUNGA 2455 PHONE: (02) 6655 6684 FAX: (02) 6655 6684 |
